Connecting Countries

One of the things I love about wine is getting to experience a countries unique culture and “style” through their wines expression.  However, it is common for people to not realize a particular grape is grown in multiple countries and expresses its own unique accent of flavors and style.

At the Italian Market I love showing people these connected wines to help broaden their wine knowledge and potential for future discoveries.

One such grape is Grenache.  It is grown predominantly in France, Italy, and Spain; known in each country as Grenache, Cannonau, and Garnacha.  These countries wines will all show excellent ripeness of fruit, but their aromatic and textural accents are what make them unique in my mind.

• Berthet Rayne Cotes Du Rhone:  Predominately Grenache with a touch of Syrah in its blend as well.  French Grenache based wines always are very polished and regal.  This wine has flavors of red berry and cherry fruits, along with vanilla and, supple tannins.
• Sella and Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna:  Italian Grenache from Sardinia is always so aromatically unique.  Often spicy, with lovely herbal notes of wild oregano, violets, and has a strong mineral backbone.  Sella and Mosca’s Cannonau has that classic Italian flair and has been doing so since 1899.
• De Andres Sisters “Bu Lu Lu” Garnacha:  grown on granite soils at 1007 meters above sea level in the Sierra de Gredos Mountains.  Spanish Grenache has broad shoulders, soaking up the Spanish heat happily.  Often producing big and bold wines, with opulent fruit and silky textures.  The Bu Lu Lu has notes of jammed strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and has a refreshing lift of acidity along with a crunchy minerality.

-Vassie, The Wine Guy